Peru: Stadium crush leaves one dead, dozens injured

At least one person has died and 60 others were injured in Peru's capital, Lima, on Friday night, authorities reported.

The incident took place at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, in what appears to have been a crush of fans.

What do we know about the fan crush in Lima?

Authorities said officers had rescued several people trapped in the south stands of the stadium.

Fans of football team Alianza Lima had gathered at the stadium the night before their team's scheduled game against their biggest rival, Universitario. They gathered for a "flag-waving event," with the crush coming before the event had begun.

Alianza Lima published a statement offering condolences to the victims and offering support to those affected. 

"We are ‌fully and transparently collaborating with the competent authorities," ‌the club said in its statement, vowing "total transparency" in helping with the investigation.

The cause of the crush remains unclear.

Local TV broadcast videos from the scene showing a large crowd of fans in the south stands and an explosion of fireworks. 

Meanwhile, other videos showed what appeared to be injured people sitting in the stands inside the stadium.

No 'structural failure' at stadium

Peru's Ministry of Health had earlier reported that a wall had collapsed inside the stadium. 

But both local police and Alianza Lima denied that claim in their respective statements.

Fire brigadier Marcos Pajuelo confirmed that one person had died, but said that the cause of death was still unknown.

Lima officials said the flag-waving event did not have valid permits or the required security guarantees.

Alianza Lima chief Fernando Cabada told local media that their flag-waving events were common and that something like this had never happened before.

He added that it was a club event that did not require tickets.

Edited by: Karl Sexton